…..to start thinking about making the move to the West Country you’ve been dreaming about for years. Whether you dream of being by huge sandy beaches with crashing surf, or living in a sleepy creek side village or vibrant town, we can find your perfect dream home for you.

Still not convinced? Just send us an email with your requirements for your dream home by the sea and we’ll do the rest.

We’re having some amazing crisp sunny days here in Cornwall, perfect for walks on the massive sandy beaches of North Cornwall. Mawgan Porth is one of the biggest. Dogs are allowed on it all year around, it is one of Woody’s favourites!

Woody the giant sausage dog

Sea spray from the crashing surf misting the air

Who would not want this beach to walk, play and swim at all year round?

A couple of weeks ago the pretty village of St Neot, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, held its Village Festival. As this event is only held every four years we decided to go along and enjoy some of the sights.

Villagers and flower arrangers decorated the church, cottages, gardens and village with amazing floral and artistic displays. There were also exhibitions of art & history, music, and cream teas supplied in various locations.

Above: displays around the village

The flowers in the church complimented the stunning stained glass windows St. Neots is famous for.

St Neot also has a yearly flower festival as well as Oak Apple Day which was featured on the Channel 4 programme ‘Hidden Villages’ with Penelope Keith.

Check out St. Neot’s comprehensive website for information of events and walks around the area:

On a beautiful summer’s day we decided to head down to the Helford river and explore firstly Helford Passage, followed by the pretty village of Helford on the opposite bank. Situated on the south coast of Cornwall near Helston and Falmouth, the Helford River is an estuary, and there are many interesting tidal creeks, including Frenchman’s Creek, which is accessible on foot from Helford village. (Daphne Du Maurier used it as a setting for her famous book of the same name.)

Above left: One of the beaches at Helford Passage Right: the main launching beach at Helford Passage

At Helford Passage you can take a small ferry boat across to the village of Helford, but it is expensive. If there is more than one of you it would be cheaper to drive round to Helford and pay for parking, which is reasonable and free in the evening. Although not far from the large bustling port of Falmouth, you really feel you are away from the stresses and strains of the world here, in a magical place where time has stood still. You will see families pottering about in small boats and kayaks, we even saw a boy with a rowing boat and his dog, what a nice change from spending all day phone fiddling and facebooking. That could be you! No wonder The Famous Five books have never lost their charm…..

Above left: Cottages at Helford Passage Right: Looking across to Helford Village

There is a pub at Helford Passage, (the tables get reserved quickly for lunch and evenings), and there is a cheap car park, which soon becomes filled in the summer holidays, but there is parking on the road at the top of the hill before the village, if you don’t mind the shady walk down. Dogs are not allowed on the main beach, where you can launch small boats etc for a fee, but further around there are more beaches to access where you can walk your dog (don’t get cut off by the tide – remember it is a tidal estuary!) Nearby is the National Trust garden of Glendurgan which wends its way down to Durgan village, a delightful walk along the cliff path from Helford Passage. Further up the river is Trebah Garden (accessible from the main road). Both gardens are filled with subtropical trees and plants.

Above left: Woody the giant sausage enjoying the beach at Helford Passage. Right: The River Helford

The peaceful small village of Helford itself is nestled in a sheltered back water of the Helford River and has pretty thatched cottages and wonderful views from footpaths around the coast path. There is a pub, which can become very busy, and a delicatessen serving snacks and ice creams, a complete Godsend!

Below: In and around Helford Village

Above: At Helford Passage, you can park on the road at the top of the hill before the village, if the car park is full. There is no on road parking on the river front.

Most people fall in love with Helford and the surrounding area at first sight. How expensive are homes here? Well, Helford Passage has celebrity status, Queen drummer Roger Taylor has a home here. At Helford Village, prices range from £350,000 for a 2 bed apartment, up to £1,750,000 for a 4 bed detached house, both have amazing river views. The remote ‘other worldy’ feel of the area and the ability to ‘mess about in your boat’ will ensure properties will keep their value.

Above: grand houses, many with Arts and Crafts styling, overlooking the estuary at Helford Passage, including Roger Taylor’s.

If you would like help finding your perfect property in the Helford area or anywhere else in the West Country simply contact us for more information.

Dartmouth, situated in the South Hams district of South Devon is one of Britain’s most desirable property and holiday locations. On a sunny summer’s day spent strolling the lanes and promenade you will definitely get the strange feeling you might not be in the UK at all, it’s not surprising the area is also known as the English Riviera.

Above left: View across the rooftops of Dartmouth Above right: View across the Dart to Kingswear

Above left: Dartmouth is a mecca for sailors Above right: Ferries for cars and foot passengers cross the river

Dartmouth is a mecca for sailors and water sport enthusiasts and is home to the Britannia Royal Naval College, not to mention many art galleries, museums, boutiques and cafes (our favourite is the Dart to Mouth Deli situated in the old market square). The view across to Kingswear is breathtaking, with vistas up and down the river Dart and out to sea.

Above: there are plenty of benches along the flat promenade to enjoy the views

Nothing is more magical than sitting on the promenade and watching the paddle steamer on trips up and down the river, and the trains of the Dartmouth Steam railway at Kingswear.

The well kept park close to the promenade also includes a bandstand and plays host to markets and live music. If you love history there are many Tudor and Elizabethan buildings, including the Butterwalk built between 1635 and 1640. The Dartmouth Museum is located within the Butterwalk and houses many interesting exhibits.

The Cherub Inn is the oldest building in Dartmouth, dating from 1380 and includes beams from Tudor ships.

Above: The historic Butterwalk

Above: Some of the interesting exhibits in the museum

The higher up the town you walk the views become even more beautiful. The town is built on the side of a hill and steep windy roads and flights of steps join up the terrace-like lanes.

Above left: The Cherub Inn

Above left, the view out to sea Above right: the view up the river Dart

Due to its stunning location and well-to-do feel, property in Dartmouth isn’t cheap, but has not quite caught up with its popular and well heeled neighbour, Salcombe, Britain’s most expensive seaside property location. Being larger, there is a wider selection of properties on the market ranging in price from £109,000 for a compact mezzanine studio apartment with a parking space and communal garden (perfect first time buy or holiday pad) to £1,895,000 for a stunning 4 bed residence with lift access, on a creek side location overlooking Kingswear with parking for 4 cars.

Above: just two of the many historic buildings on the river front.

Above: If you prefer the contemporary look, you won’t be disappointed

Above: the mild climate of the English Riviera means bright and colourful Mediterranean style plants can thrive here

Rock, North Cornwall’s most upmarket and desirable places to buy a property, is situated on the banks of the Camel estuary opposite Padstow. Close to Polzeath, a magnificent surfing beach, Rock is a haven for water sport enthusiasts, golfers and celebrities.

There are miles of golden sands and dunes to enjoy, and the nearby large town of Wadebridge supplies all the local services one needs. In Rock itself there is a selection of quality cafes, delis, boutiques and gift shops. Padstow is within easy reach by ferry for even more fine dining and shopping choices, and of course has beautiful walks, cycle rides, quaint cottages and peaceful sandy beaches nearby.

Property in Rock is not cheap, you are paying for location, and the nearer the beach, the more you will pay – the views are stunning however, and you could find yourself living next door to a celebrity, Mr and Mrs G. Ramsey for example.

Properties for sale are also hard to come by, the best renovation projects are snapped up almost immediately. A good buy would be an older bungalow in need of modernisation and extending. This is where we can help of course, with our knowledge of the area and experience in house buying, we can hunt down your ideal property and negotiate the best price for you, often these properties will not be advertised on the open market.

At the time of writing there are about 7 properties advertised to the general public and range in price from £439,950 for a 3 bed detached house near Rock to £2,750,000 for a four storey, 4 bed terraced house with steps down to the beach.

Ask for a registration pack if you’d like to find a property in Rock or anywhere else in the wonderful West Country.

The day before the spring bank holiday was a perfect day for dawdling around Looe soaking up the sun, lazing in cafes and enjoying the breathtaking views. It all started at 8.30am on the coast path at East Looe, where even at that hour I met several chatty dog walkers and felt it was almost too hot to sit in the sun, even in the early morning mist.

Above: The coast path at East Looe affords delightful views toward Looe Island and the beach

At that time of day and being a Sunday the beach was deserted, almost. The sea was dead calm, and several couples were swimming away from the beach and a few families were already staking their day’s pitches in the sand. I had to have a paddle in the crystal clear water, so icy cold it hurt my feet, but so spine tingling refreshing. I sat on the sea wall for as long as I could handle the ever increasing sun strength and gave in to the desire for a coffee.

The first place that I came across (and there are many cafes in Looe) was the quirky Kitchenside Bakery, with china teacups and teapots dangling in the window and rustic nostalgic interior. Forties music added to the atmosphere. The cakes looked scrumptious and affordable so I vowed to come back for afternoon tea. As it was not a decent time for cake I settled for a coffee with cream – again not expensive, and watched the steady trickle of sun worshipers making their inevitable migration towards the beach, and reflected on how lucky I was to have experienced the peace and quiet by getting here early. By the time I left the cafe the trickle had to turned into a torrent, so I had to fight against the flow as I made my way up through town. The shops were open by then, so I browsed a few and decided to make my purchases on my way back so I need not carry them around all day in my rucksack.

Above: I explored the harbour area before crossing the bridge over to West Looe.

If you want a quieter, less hectic piece of Looe to relax in, it’s worth walking around to Hannafore (or driving, as the parking is free on the road). Most tourists don’t make it around here, so it’s a good little local secret. (Or was!) Dogs are allowed on the beach too. It is mostly rocky and seaweedy, perfect for rockpooling, bird watching and enjoying the views of Looe Island (aka St. Georges island). At very low tides twice a year it is possible to walk over to it. The flat promenade makes a perfect place to stroll even in the winter. The rest of the coast path can be accessed at the end of the road if you want to carry on walking.

From the road to Hannafore I could see how busy the beach had become

There are plenty of opportunities for watersports and fishing around Looe Bay

Above: Peace and quiet at Hannafore

Above: As promised, back at the Kitchenside Bakery tearoom to wind down the day, a delicious chocolate brownie and Cornish tea in a bone china tea cup – bliss!

Gorran Haven truly is a haven of peace and tranquility on the south coast of Cornwall, and only two miles from the bustling fishing village of Mevagissey. It’s slightly tucked out of the way (so has not been spoiled by over development), but close enough to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and not too far from the Eden Project and the historic harbour of Charlestown.

The beach is a dream, with soft sand, turquoise waters and plenty of rock pools to explore (dogs allowed on leads). The coast path has some stunning views and wildflowers and birds to spot. There is a hotel (The Llawnroc), two or three cafes including one right next to the beach, public conveniences (free!) a large car park and a village shop with a post office, hairdresser, fish and chip takeaway, a beach shop, an ancient tiny church and quaint narrow lanes to explore. A pub (The Barley Sheaf) can be found a mile away at the inland village of Gorran Churchtown.

Gorran Haven is an up and coming location and a desirable place to retire to or buy your ideal peaceful holiday pad by the sea. Many properties, especially bungalows, are being developed or rebuilt, improving the quality of the houses on offer. This means prices will rise, so the best time to buy is right now. Prices range from £210,000 for a 3 bed fisherman’s cottage yards from the beach to £445,000 for a 5 bed bungalow with a 2 bed annex.

There are of course many beautiful places to live in Cornwall, but these are our top five favourite seaside locations!

No 1 – Padstow, North Cornwall

No 2 – Fowey, South East Cornwall

No 3 – Mousehole, South West Cornwall

No 4 Port Isaac, North Cornwall

No 5 – Polperro, South East Cornwall

We hope you enjoyed our selection, but we are sure you can add to it! We can help you find your perfect holiday cottage or dream home, so why wait to make that escape from the rat race you’ve always longed for? Contact us for a registration pack now.

A couple of weekends ago we had a refreshing walk around Mousehole, way down in the far South West of Cornwall.

We like to experience our lovely villages in all types of weather at different times of the year and we weren’t disappointed! The famous Christmas lights were being dismantled by a team of hard working volunteers, and most of the shops and cafes were closed and only a few die-hard holiday makers were around to enjoy the weather!

The sea was pretty choppy, not a good idea to stand on the sea wall, as the tide was high as well.

We noted on a walk around the quiet village that houses were selling even in the winter, which just goes to show the market is very buoyant in this area, as is much of Cornwall.

It’s nice to explore the tiny windy lanes without hoards of tourists!

We had a delicious snack lunch of Homity pie in a busy Hole Foods Deli overlooking the harbour which in winter is closed off by wooden baulks to help keep the waves out.

After warming up we had another wander around, exploring every nook and cranny. There is a lot of history in this quaint village. The Mousehole shop appeared in the Nationwide adverts. It was closed for the winter, but is a delight to browse through when it’s open.

We had a much welcome cup of tea and coffee in the Old Pilchard Press Tea Room, which we were delighted to find open.

We are looking forward to our next visit very soon. It’s one of our favourite Cornish villages, and we hope it will be yours too. If you need help find a property in Cornwall or Devon – we can help you – just give us a shout!

St. Mawgan, near Newquay is one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall. Despite being near Newquay Airport, it is quietly nestled in a peaceful river valley that flows down to the enormous sandy beach at Mawgan Porth. A footpath follows the valley and is one of our favourite walks. There is free parking at St. Mawgan behind the village shop, so we suggest starting your walk in the village. Another good reason to start here is a coffee and snack at the village tearoom! The tearoom is run by the owners of the shop and post office and is utterly delightful with vines growing in the conservatory and a pretty garden to sit in.

Above: St Mawgan village, including the 6th century Celtic monastery now home to the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate (bottom right).

Opposite the church the road turns right, follow this road past the Japanese Gardens until you come to a dead end road on the left signposted footpath to Mawgan Porth. The single lane road carries on past some delightfully located houses and takes you onto the footpath along the peaceful Menalhyl Valley.

The path carries on past a farm tea garden, open on certain days in the summer, then crosses a country lane. The path eventually leads onto the edge of a quiet holiday park where it joins the road for a short stroll into the seaside village of Mawgan Porth. By this time you’ll probably want a rest before exploring the beach – when the tide is at its lowest the beach is huge and will add about two more miles to your walk!

Time for a rest at the pub!

We walk back the same way, but a circular walk is described in the link below, but is a bit longer.

The village of St. Mawgan (full name St. Mawgan in Pydar) is perfectly situated between the popular towns of Newquay and Padstow, and not far from the A30 and A39 main roads. If you are a regular user of Newquay Airport, you could not ask for a more ideal location to buy a home. With its post office, shop, pub, tearoom, church, village hall, playing field, Japanese Garden, Convent, pre-school and a school for the 4-11 age group (Outstanding Ofsted report) you have all the facilities for the perfect village lifestyle, not to mention the added bonus of the beach just two miles away!

OK, homes are not cheap here and don’t often come on the open market. Which is what we are here for – to find your perfect home. Very often top properties are discreetly marketed – we have access to these exclusive properties just for you. £350k to £875k would be starting guide to prices in the St. Mawgan area. Come and see for yourself how peaceful and quiet beautiful St. Mawgan is.

Salcombe in South Devon is now the most expensive seaside location in Britain, having taken over Sandbanks in Dorset. The average house price in Salcombe is now £670k, and it’s not hard to see why.

Salcombe is idyllically situated in the South Hams district at the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Not a true estuary, as there is no river flowing into the sea, but a beautiful tidal inlet with many creeks, superb for sailing and boating activities of all descriptions. There are some small sandy beaches in the area, including North and South Sands a short drive away. The town made it’s fortune from boat and shipbuilding, shipping fruit and other goods, fishing and smuggling. There are still boat yards, but now the main industry is sailing and tourism, but shell fish is still an important business, supplying local shops, restaurants and hotels.

There are many Victorian houses once occupied by wealthy ship builders, smaller cottages for related trades like carpenters and fishermen and converted warehouses and wharf buildings.

Between the world wars the town became well established as a tourist and sailing resort. The Salcombe Sailing Club was founded in 1922. Two popular Regattas are held every year.

The main street has many interesting boutiques and interiors shops, cafes, delis and locally made ice-cream. It is worth walking further and exploring the higher streets for breath taking views of the scenery.

There is a wide variety of house styles and ages to choose from if you wish to make Salcombe your home or purchase a holiday retreat here, with prices ranging from a reasonable £255,000 to £2,95,000 for a 5 bed period former customs house on the waterfront.

Salcombe is an ideal place to retire, mixing with the sailing fraternity and a perfect holiday retreat. House prices are sure to keep rising here, so a good place for a property investment!

If you can’t decide whether to buy a house in Devon or Cornwall, have you considered Tavistock? The vibrant market town of Tavistock is ideally situated on the western edge of Dartmoor, but only 4.5 miles from the Cornish border. The property market is buoyant in the area with an average price of £400k for a quality 4 bed detached house. The location of Tavistock with its excellent schools, market, shops, river, parks, services and proximity to Dartmoor National Park make this a very popular place to live.

The fantastic pannier market, open Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 4:30pm, has been running without a break for 900 years. Here you can find plants, collectables, art, jewellery, books, tools, delis, clothing, craft stalls and cafes. At Christmas the magical Dickensian Evening is held on the last Friday in November to coincide with the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights and shops are open until 9pm.

Although there is a large food supermarket on the edge of the town, Tavistock is remarkable because the high street is packed with many independent shops and boutiques. The larger department stores being found in Plymouth, only a half hour drive away.

A short walk from the town centre you can find peace and tranquility along the River Tavy and canal where you can walk and relax in The Meadows park with its play areas, tennis, swimming pool and The Wharf Arts Centre.

Above: The River Tavy

Above: The Wharf Arts Centre & Meadowlands Leisure Pool

A short drive away and you’ll be in the stunning Dartmoor National Park – a huge natural wild playground for exploring, walking, riding and cycling the paths and lanes that criss-cross the moor.

Tavistock is steeped in history. It is famous for being the birthplace of Elizabethan naval hero Sir Francis Drake. Its fortune was made from the wool trade and in 1105 received its Market Charter from Henry I. It was also important as a Stannary Town where ores from the mining industry where weighed and valued for duty.

Above: Remains of an arch from the Benedictine Abbey built in 1318 and the West Gate of the Abbey built in the 1400’s known as Betsy Grimbal’s Tower. Blessed Grimbald was a 9th century saint revered by the Benedictines and the name Betsy Grimbal is probably a corruption.

Above: St. John’s Holy Well on the bank of the River Tavy was probably used by the monks of the Abbey.

We can thoroughly recommend Tavistock for a holiday, day out or as a place to live. For more information see the websites listed below.

Fowey is fast becoming the most desirable holiday and residential destination in Cornwall. Fowey has vistas comparable with the prettiest parts of the Mediterranean, and is popular with sailors, with its famous yearly regatta and river moorings. The river has a working quay a bit further up from Fowey and a relaxing time can be spent watching large ships and even cruise liners gliding up and down the glittering waters.

Above left: Looking towards Fowey and up river from Polruan. Right: Looking towards Polruan on the opposite bank.

Fowey is situated on the south east coast of Cornwall, known as the Cornish Riviera, at the estuary of the beautiful Fowey River which was born in the centre of Bodmin Moor. Opposite Fowey is the charming fishing village of Polruan with working boat yards. Cottages tumble down to the quay where you will find the historic Lugger Inn – definitely worth the enjoyable boat trip over from Fowey.

Fowey is a delight to potter around for all ages and abilities, the main area of interest being relatively flat with a small pay and display car park and a few disabled spaces. The larger main car park at the top of the town has a small bus to ferry people up and down. You will find quirky gift shops and boutiques and plenty of places to eat and drink.

Take it easy enjoying the view from the harbour seating area or wander along the Esplanade to Readymoney Cove, a small sandy beach.

Above left: The Esplanade. Right: Readymoney Cove

Above and bottom left: Views from The Esplanade. Above: View from St. Catherine’s Castle

From The Esplanade you can just about spot the remains of Fowey Blockhouse with its opposite number on the Polruan side – built in the 1300’s, chains were pulled across the estuary in order to prevent the entry of undesirable ships entering the harbour. Further along on the left you will pass comedienne Dawn French’s magnificent Point Neptune House. A little further around the coast, past the Cove, is Catherine’s Point where in medieval times the chapel of St. Catherine stood on the cliff top and a light was kept burning as a lighthouse. St. Catherine’s Castle below was built by Henry VIII to defend the harbour entrance.

If you prefer a longer walk take the ferry across to Bodinnick and enjoy the Hall Walk that meanders along the creeks to Polruan – about three miles in length. Fowey and the surrounding area has been made well known by the author Daphne du Maurier who lived in Ferryhouse at Bodinnick. Many of her books were set in the area and here she wrote her first novel ‘The Loving Spirit’.

Fowey has many extremely popular yearly events and festivals including the week long Royal Regatta in August, with its yacht races, fireworks, carnival, live music and brilliant Red Arrows display; The Festival of Words & Music, which this year opens with a Poldark themed day (9-15th May 2015) and The Christmas Market in December – a weekend of gift and food stalls, live music and lots of fun!

OK, so you’ve fallen in love with Fowey, and who wouldn’t? If you want to find your perfect home there are properties to suit all pockets, but this is an up and coming area, so now is the time to buy. House prices range from £130,000 to £1,975,000.

Above left: Place House, the tower is visible behind St Fimbarrus Church. Place has been home of the Treffry family since the 13th Century and remains their private home to this day. It is not open to the public.

Padstow has always been a popular destination for holiday makers and in recent years has become a foodie paradise thanks to celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. There are many delightful cafes, pubs and restaurants to chose from in Padstow but Stein and Ainsworth have definitely cornered the foodie market. Ever since the BBC TV series ‘Rick Stein’s Taste of The Sea’ Padstow has been placed firmly on the map, gaining the dubious nickname ‘Padstein’. Stein statrted his Seafood Restaurant way back in 1975 and also runs a tea room and fish & chip restaurant in the village. Ainsworth, who trained with Gary Rhodes owns Ainsworth at Number 6 and Rojano’s In The Square.

Padstow is a thriving community based around a fishing and yachting harbour. The lanes are a delight to wander around where you can browse the quality shops or enjoy the old cottages and views towards the Camel Estuary. You can hire a bike and cycle all the way to Bodmin and back along the Camel Trail – a disused railway that runs along the scenic river Camel. Take the ferry to Rock or enjoy an exciting ride on a speedboat.

Above: The Camel Estuary

Above: Interesting buildings and alleys

For a quick light snack and drink you can’t beat the Java coffee shop, situated in the old cinema at 10 Lanadwell Street. A selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, biscuits and sandwiches are available. We can thoroughly recommend the bacon sarnies! They welcome dogs and offer a take-away service too. There are some greeting cards for sale as well. Tel: 01841 534950

Above: the lanes around Padstow (bottom right – The Dower House, being renovated)

Above: St Petroc’s Church

Above Prideaux Place

Above: The deer park at Prideaux Place

Above: Harlyn Bay & Polzeath

Walkers can also use the Camel Trail, or a stroll in the other direction takes you up over the cliffs with stunning views towards Polzeath and Daymer Bay. Benches line the path so you can take it easy! If you enjoy historic houses, Prideaux Place is an Elizabethan manor house lived in by the same family since 1592. The house and grounds are a delight to explore – there is also a tea room and deer park. Check their website for opening times. Slightly further afield Harlyn Bay offers life-guarded bathing for all the family with car parking, cafe, pub & toilets close to the beach. There is also a surf school.

Padstow has always been one of our favourite destinations for days out and holiday and is fast becoming a magnet for the rich and famous. With house prices ranging from £190,000 to £2,160,00 there is something to suit everyone’s pocket. Your day to day requirements are also well catered for – Tesco supermarket, Post Office, banking, council offices, clubs, public transport, library, primary school, huge car park, doctors and dentists and much more!

Cornwall is yet again being firmly placed in peoples’ hearts and minds as another TV series of Doc Martin begins filming in Port Isaac. Port Isaac doubles as Port Wenn, the village where London Doctor Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes) tries to fit in with the local community with hilarious consequences. The seventh series is due to be aired this autumn.

Port Isaac is one of the prettiest and quintessential fishing villages on the North Cornwall coast. Old cottages tumble down tiny winding lanes to the harbour and seagulls cry from the chimney tops. The views are second to none, especially from the cliff walks and if you are fan of Doc Martin you will recognise many of the buildings and views, especially the Doc’s house.

Above: Doc Martin’s house & the school where Louisa works (was a school originally, now a restaurant!)

Port Isaac is THE dream location for a holiday or permanent home by the sea. With prices starting from just £209k this is the time to buy.

Above: views around Port Isaac harbour

Port Isaac is a great base from which to explore the surrounding area – Port Quin and Port Gaverne are picturesque coves within walking distance, and a short drive away are Tintagel with its romantic castle ruins and Arthurian legends, and Padstow, where you will find a bustling fishing harbour, the Camel Trail and Rick Stein’s fish restaurant.

Above: wandering around Port Isaac

Above: peaceful Port Quin at the close of day and the Camel Estuary, Padstow

St. Neot is a delightful village on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. The village is named after its famous saint who performed miracles and healing at his Holy Well.

Above: St. Neot Church

St. Neot Church has some of the best medieval stained glass windows in Cornwall and there are some fine Celtic crosses in the churchyard. Every year Oak Apple Day (29th May) is celebrated in the village – a custom which started in 1660 when Charles II returned to the throne after 11 years of Puritan rule. A blessed oak branch is placed at the top of the church tower each year.

Above: St. Neot Holy Well and Cemetery

St. Neot was a centre for mining – Wheal Mary produced silver, tin and copper. There is an alcove in a wall with an ancient granite mortar stone for grinding ore before smelting was used. A chimney and miners’ cottages can be seen along Lampen Lane.

St. Neot has a thriving community spirit and has a village shop, post office, pub (The London Inn), award winning Social Club, free car park, public conveniences, primary school with an Outstanding Ofsted report, village hall with a produce market once a month, public garden (Doorstep Green), walks, and many community projects and festivals including the carnival and flower festival and Cott Barn – a Community Resource Centre with historical archives.

Above: In and around St. Neot village

St. Neot is an ideal base for exploring wild and atmospheric Bodmin Moor, a relatively undiscovered part of Cornwall, where, unlike Dartmoor which is a National Park, you can still find a stunning home for a good price. Yet Bodmin Moor has areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Special Scientific Interest, nature reserves and most of it is a World Heritage Site site due to its ancient prehistoric sites and mining history. Come and discover Bodmin Moor and enjoy its peace, history and magnificent beauty – you will not be disappointed.

You would have to be living on the moon if you haven’t heard all about the new BBC TV series ‘Poldark’, based on Winston Graham’s novels set in Cornwall. In the Poldark stories the fictitious village of St. Ann’s is based on St. Agnes but Winston Graham did use the real name of Stippy Stappy – the name for the picturesque path with cottages on one side which winds down to Trevaunance Cove.

Above: Stippy Stappy Lane

There was once a working harbour in the Cove but this was destroyed by a storm in 1915 – the remains can still be seen. Many attempts were made to build a safe harbour – the first being in 1632.

Above: Remains of old harbour and beach

Trevaunance Cove beach is sandy with dramatic cliffs topped with old mine workings. Nearby between St. Agnes and Porthtowan the atmospheric ruins of Wheal Coates, a nineteenth century tin mine, can be seen on the cliff top.

Above: Wheal Coates Tin and Copper Mine

St. Agnes is a lively and picturesque place to visit with interesting shops, art galleries, pubs and cafes, full of history and drama. There is plenty of parking, a sandy beach for the children and amazing views from the cliff top walks on National Trust and World Heritage Site land. Well worth a visit and a most desirable location for your holiday cottage or dream seaside home.

Straddling the fast flowing river Tavy, below the western edge of Dartmoor, Tavistock stands in the heart of an area of tremendous natural beauty. It is a classic West Country Market Town.
The old streets radiate from Bedford Square and contain shops for every taste and need. Within easy walking distance of the car parks and bus station you can find an eclectic mix of small independent shops, including delicatessens famous throughout the South West. Venture behind the Town Hall to discover the award winning and historic Pannier Market. The towns Market used to be held in Bank Square, now a car park but was replaced in 1860 by a stone-built covered Pannier Market. The Market bustles with activity on most days of the week.
Award winning hotels, restaurants and cafés cater for all tastes.
Situated just five minutes from the town centre, between the River Tavy and the canal, you will find The Meadows. This beautiful and peaceful park is a tranquil haven with attractive walks, children’s play area and Trim Trails.
There are many leisure and sporting activities available in and around the town including live entertainment and cinema at the Wharf Arts Centre, swimming at Meadowlands Leisure Pool, golf, cricket, football, tennis and, being the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake, bowling.
Tavistock is a lively and attractive Market Town, which wears its historic links with pride.
Tavistock, which had received its Market Charter from Henry I in 1105, developed from its wool trade, enjoying the monopoly to manufacture woollen cloths known as Tavistock Kersies. The wool trade flourished for many years, and the town prospered from its weekly markets, being the centre of a large farming district.
It also had the distinction of being one of the Stannary Towns where all the mined metal was weighed, stamped and assessed for duty. From the 12th Century considerable quantities of tin were mined, but latterly tin-mining was in decline. By 1850 the mining industry was booming again in this area with extraction of copper from the famous Devon Great Consols Mine. This was once the richest source of copper in Europe, and the relics of old workings are common, some standing stark and awesome against the sky, some softened by a cloak of ivy, others lost to the sight of all but the most determined searcher.
In 1542 Tavistock’s most famous son was born at a farm at Crowndale just down-stream on the Tavy – he was to become Sir Francis Drake. He left home to become apprenticed on a ship trading in the Channel and in 1567 Drake and Hawkins sailed out of Plymouth on a slave-trading voyage to the West Indies, and first tangled with the Spaniards. By 1588 when he helped the Lord High Admiral of England to defeat the Spanish Armada, as immortalised by that famous game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe, he had been knighted by Elizabeth I for his services to the Country (and her Treasury). He made his home at Buckland Abbey close to Tavistock. On Plymouth Road is Edgar Boehm’s Statue of Drake, erected by the 9th Duke of Bedford in 1883. Around its granite pedestal are bas reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Drake – the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world. Although more famous than its Tavistock counterpart, the Statue of Drake on Plymouth Hoe is a copy of the original Tavistock model, and does not possess these bas reliefs. Drake died during his West Indies Expedition in 1594, being buried at sea.
Tavistock itself is unique for its green stone buildings (Hurdwick Stone from a local quarry), which have a subtle charm. Many of them were built with stone taken from the Abbey when it was demolished after the Dissolution.
The towns focal point is Bedford Square, flanked by the Parish Church (St Eustachius) and the Town Hall, built in 1859 as part of the re-development carried out by Francis, the Seventh Duke of Bedford, whose statue stands outside the Guildhall, erected in 1848. The re-development was paid for largely from the huge royalties the Duke was receiving from mining operations on his Estates.

Nearby are most of the existing remains of the Abbey. All are scheduled as Ancient Monuments. The most picturesque is the Court Gate, an archway leading from Bedford Square to Guildhall Square. The archway houses the Museum and the Subscription Library – one of the oldest private libraries in Devon. The Arch stands on the site of the main entrance to the great courtyard of the Abbey.
One of the most attractive features of Bedford Square is the Town Hall, the embattled and pinnacled building, completed in 1860, has a beautifully vaulted, beamed ceiling and will seat approximately 500 people. The main function room houses a number of portraits of Tavistock’s noted dignitaries, including the Bedford family, Drake and Lord John Russell.
Copyright: Tavistock Town Council.

Chagford, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, is an ancient and charismatic former Stannary (tin mining administrative) town. Many 16th and 17th Century buildings can be found in the town, historically important with lots of character. The town centre has a wealth of fascinating independent shops, restaurants, pubs, galleries and traditional stores.
Chagford is well known as a great place to stay, not only to soak up the vibrant community and interesting heritage, but also as a base from which to explore the glorious wilderness of Dartmoor with its spectacular scenery of dramatic granite tors.
One of many notable buildings in the town is the 16th Century, Grade II* listed Three Crowns Hotel. It is a beautifully renovated 5 star Devon Inn, with 21 gorgeous boutique-style hotel bedrooms. The character features include exposed stone walls, inglenook fireplaces and beamed ceilings. There is also a contemporary courtyard dining area with glazed roof.